Saliba out of France squad with ankle pain as Lacroix receives call-up

William Saliba celebrates scoring for Arsenal
William Saliba celebrates scoring for ArsenalAction Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers

Defender William Saliba has been ruled ⁠out of France's squad due to injury ahead of this ‌month’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia, with ‌Maxence Lacroix called up to ‌replace him, the country's football ‌federation (FFF) said on Sunday.

Arsenal's Saliba played ‌the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City in ‌Sunday's EFL Cup final, before ⁠the FFF ‌announced his injury.

"The Arsenal centre back is ​suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle, requiring treatment ​and a minimum rest period of 10 days," it said ⁠in a ​statement.

"National coach Didier Deschamps has decided to replace him with Maxence Lacroix," the FFF added.

The Crystal Palace ‌defender, 25, has earned his first France call-up, ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He has played 43 games in all competitions this season.

Saliba was among the expanded 27-man France squad announced by Deschamps on Thursday.

France will face Brazil ‌in Boston on March 26th ​before taking on Colombia in Washington ‌on March 29th.

The 2022 World Cup runners-up are in Group I at this year's tournament with Senegal, Norway and a ⁠winner from ⁠the inter-confederation ‌playoffs.